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Think Global, Act Local: Four Ways Your Company Can Be Socially Responsible And Prosperous

Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the lifeblood of today’s economy. They have the power to make an impact and be nimble without all the red tape and bureaucracy that can bog down larger companies. Many of the most popular and forward-thinking companies are concerned not just with creating innovative products, but also with influencing society for the better. They focus on impacting the world in a positive way, even if it’s just on a small scale. Among the most visible leaders of this movement are Ben and Jerry’s and The Body Shop along with newer entrants like Toms and Warby Parker. In addition, the organization/certification B Corp was created, as they explain, to “provide a framework and certification for companies to benefit society as well as their shareholders.” After all, if you could promote change and function in a socially responsible way without sacrificing revenue and innovation, wouldn’t you?

Here are four easy steps you can take to promote social change within your company.

1. Establish Your Social Mission

Companies set about establishing social missions because they want more than just a balance sheet to guide them. You social mission will serve as a truer compass. A social mission is something that can be built into your mission statement. It’s not about writing checks. Social responsibility is so much deeper than that. We do have a social mission because we want more than just profit to guide us – we rioters do believe we can change the world! Our mission is: To create a more just and celebrated multicultural world for our next generation. We strive to weave social responsibility throughout our company, and no, we’re not perfect, but we try our best. We view social responsibility in three key areas: Our product. Our people. Our Partnerships

2. Keep Your Mission Aligned

Consider what you’re selling. Is it good for the world? Is it ethical? It is easy to get caught up in the “books” and abandon your mission when you’re feeling stressed. You can turn a profit without turning your back on your mission. Balancing your books and mission may be your greatest challenge, but it could also become your greatest achievement. For example, in the world of chocolate sweetriot feels very strongly about delivering Fair Trade certified, all natural, organic products. It would be easier and frankly much less expensive to produce products without these certifications and health standards. The market is saturated in dark chocolate. We also put original artwork on every product we sell in order to support emerging artists. We weave the social mission into our product. Thus, for every product we sell, we make a difference.

3. Build a Community

Changing the world isn’t easy, and it isn’t something that can be done alone. Build a community around your goods and services. Partnerships achieve more. A community can be anyone from your customers, retail & manufacturing partners, to other like-minded companies you engage. Connect and support companies and organizations that have similar values and ideals. This is something that can be achieved on a small scale. Perhaps it is finding another company within your certification community like Fair Trade or B Corp. Maybe it is building a special campaign with a lead retail partner, a local CO-OP or non-profit. And don’t forget, your customers are your greatest evangelists. With the various social media platforms, it has never been easier for their voices to be heard. Give them something to rave about!

4. Don’t Forget Your Team

Your team is a living, breathing representation of your company and its mission. Especially for small and growing businesses, it can be easy to feel desperate for more employees, but it is important to always choose very wisely. Remember what you are building. Companies are just groups of people at the end of the day. Company culture matters, and it’s important to show strong commitment to the team that helped foster the mission and is carrying it out each and every day.

So you have a great product or service, amazing community partners, and incredible company culture and teamwork. Through this process, have you stayed true to your mission? Remember, you walked this road because you wanted more than just profit to influence your decisions.

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